WASHINGTON, Feb 10, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Film star Angelina Jolie was back on
Capitol Hill Wednesday pleading with US lawmakers to immediately pass
measures to combat domestic violence.

   At a press briefing in the US Capitol, Jolie expressed support for
renewing legislation that would provide victims of such abuse with medical
and legal assistance, as well as support to children who have been exposed to
violence in the home.

   "The ugly truth is that violence in homes is normalized in our country,"
said the filmmaker and Academy Award winning actress.

   "I want to acknowledge the children who are terrified and suffering at
this moment, and the many people for whom this legislation comes too late,"
said Jolie, who teared up as she called on Congress to make reauthorization
of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) a priority.

   The 46-year-old "Eternals" star has accused her ex-husband Brad Pitt of
intentionally hitting their son Maddox, then 15 -- although Pitt has been
cleared of the allegations.

   President Joe Biden, then a US senator, was primary author of the original
version of the bill first signed into law in 1994. Subsequent versions of
VAWA have passed with strong support from both Democrats and Republicans.

   But in 2019, a version that had cleared the House of Representatives
stalled in the Senate, which was then controlled by Republicans who prevented
the bill from coming to a final vote.

   The legislation unveiled Wednesday also has bipartisan support, and Biden
applauded the group of lawmakers from both parties who came together to
introduce the VAWA reauthorization.

   "Combatting domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and
stalking should not be a Democratic issue or Republican issue. It's a matter
of justice and compassion," Biden said, adding he looks forward to the bill
reaching his desk "without delay."

   Republican Senator Joni Ernst, herself a survivor of domestic violence and
sexual assault, was elated that a deal had been reached to get VAWA over the
finish line.

   "We can almost let out a sigh of relief," she said.